New MacBook verdicts: What reviewers are saying

On the one hand, it's ultra-light at two pounds, has nine hours of battery life, brandishes a gorgeous 12-inch Retina display and comes in three colors — including gold. On the other hand, the super-thin laptop has a new, flatter keyboard with keys that have less travel depth, an underpowered Intel Core M processor and a single USB-C port. It also requires a zillion dongles to work with your existing accessories.

The new MacBook also starts at $1,299, which is more than the non-Retina, relatively port-heavy and more powerful 11-inch MacBook Air, which starts at $899. Even the beefier 13-inch MacBook Air is cheaper at $999.

You can read Mashable's review here. We've also compiled (and will continue to update) other reviews of the new MacBook from around the web. Is the new MacBook a yay, nay or meh? Here's what the reviewers are saying:

"You see, the problem with the future is that it isn't here yet...the now doesn't have the ecosystem of adapters and wireless peripherals I need to use this laptop with its single port. The now doesn't have the right processor to power through the apps I need without ruining battery life. And right now, this laptop is far from cheap at $1,299."

"Much like the original Air, the new MacBook is expensive, and it's not for everyone. In particular, it's for well-heeled shoppers who demand the most portable machine possible, and who also don't want to compromise on screen quality."

"...the new Macbook makes a laptop truly a laptop again. No heat to scorch your lap. Lightweight enough that you can be working for hours...you shouldn’t have to worry about plugging it in after a few hours of use...

"It’s nearly impossible not to be seduced by this MacBook’s beauty, its dazzling screen and perfect trackpad. But don’t give in. Like the original MacBook Air, introduced in 2008, there are too many key compromises—in battery life, speed and port access—for the early-adopter price."

"If the new MacBook lasted a day and a half, I’d happily forgive the muscular deficiencies. If it were more powerful, nine or ten hours of battery would be a killer number. But when the MacBook is more expensive and less powerful than the Air, and even doesn’t last as long, what’s it for?"

"It's a really good laptop—assuming you can figure out how to make USB-C make sense for you—and yet its size, weight, and overall minimalism give it an iPad-like persona. The thinking behind it is a different, more subtle way of mixing PC and tablet...."

"...this machine isn't for everyone, particularly those who expect extremes from their devices. Still, if you prioritize style, need something ultraportable, and don’t mind trading power for a crisp and clear Retina display, then the perfect computer may have arrived."

"The Apple MacBook is certainly an excellent choice if you travel frequently and want to run desktop apps instead of settling for mobile versions. It's lighter and much slimmer than the latest Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch, and its battery lasts longer"

"My primary caveat is this — if history is any guide, you can count on a near-future generation of this laptop boosting its utility by doubling the number of USB-C ports to at least two. So like many new technology products, it may be worth waiting for the next version..."

BONUS: Apple's new MacBook up close

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